Tijuana's Erik "Terrible" Morales appeared to be in extraordinary physical shape as he trained in camp on Tuesday morning. The three-time world champion (super bantamweight, featherweight and super featherweight) did twelve rounds of intense work.

On Saturday December 18 at Estadio Caliente in his native Tijuana, Baja California, Erik Morales will seek to close the year with another big win. 2010 marked his return to the ring after three years of absence. He has to deal with another former world champion (WBO super featherweight), the Argentinian Jorge "Hyena" Barrios.

The clock read 10:30 in the morning when Erik Morales and his team (José "olive grove" Morales, father and coach, Raul Robles, trainer, Francisco "Jordan" Nava y Rafael "Chino" Javier, assistants) made their appearance in the gym which is located at the top of the Otomi Ceremonial Center in Temoaya, a Mexican state, which throughout his successful boxing career was adopted as their headquarters.

The pride of Tijuana's face was very serious as he began some very enthusiastic "sparring" with Ismael "Bolillito Gonzalez, Alejandro Sanabria, Jesus Barraza and Oscar Gonzalez.

The intense work lasted for over 12 rounds, in which the current WBC silver junior welterweight champion, showcased his excellent physical condition, proving that he is ready to defend this title for the first time.

It should also be noted that on this occasion, as it has been done throughout his successful career, he trained in the mountains to get himself in the best condition possible.